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Peregrine Travel Centre

The Wild Archipelagos of the North Atlantic Luxury Cruise

The Wild Archipelagos of the North Atlantic Luxury Cruise

From AUD $12,710

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Description

Between Scotland and Iceland , embark on a journey to the wild reaches of Northern Europe. The Hebrides, the Shetlands, the Faroes, the Westmans: the secrets of these archipelagos sculpted by the raw forces of nature will be revealed as you sail and make fascinating stops along the way. Vertiginous cliffs, forgotten fjords, fishing villages nestling between sea and moorland, mythical volcanic lands… The uniqueness of the geology and the resilience of those who have put down roots there will be immediately apparent in these singular landscapes. Here, the ocean sets the pace, island traditions withstand the passage of time, and nature reigns supreme, just as in the legends of old.

Trip Name
The Wild Archipelagos of the North Atlantic Luxury Cruise
Days
11
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 264 (200 in Antarctica) Built: 2011 L’Austral is a sleek, French-designed expedition yacht combining modern elegance with an intimate atmosphere. With just 132 staterooms for 264 guests, she offers the refined feel of a private yacht, enhanced by attentive service and stylish interiors featuring fine materials, harmonious colours, and discreet touches of brightness. Built by Fincantieri in Ancona, Italy, she is 466 ft long with a 59 ft beam, ice-class certified (1C), and equipped with the latest eco-design innovations, continually upgraded to improve environmental performance. Designed for both polar adventures and tropical voyages, L’Austral features six guest decks, elegant dining venues, and 11 Zodiacs for immersive exploration. Life on board blends relaxation and discovery, with refined gastronomy, welcoming social spaces, and an emphasis on responsible travel. From the subantarctic islands to sunlit coasts, she offers a chic and comfortable way to experience the world, always with PONANT’s signature style of elegance, intimacy, and connection to the sea.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - Glasgow, Scotland
In the heart of the Clyde Valley, the bustling city of Glasgow contrasts starkly with the wild beauty of the surrounding countryside. Scotland's biggest city overflows with landmarks from its extensive artistic heritage and outstanding architectural tradition. The city's chequerboard layout makes walking through the major pedestrian thoroughfares easy: go with the flow and let the lively street atmosphere take you past the many Victorian monuments. Don't miss the collections on display in the numerous museums and art galleries. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is an outstanding example.
Day 2 - Day 2 - Belfast, Northern Ireland
The capital city of Northern Ireland is located on the very tip of Belfast Lough, in the north-east of the Emerald Isle. Along the waterfront, the building shaped like a fragmented liner is non other than the Titanic Belfast, a homage to the famous transatlantic liner, with full-scale reconstructions making for an insightful experience of the Belle Epoque. In the historical centre, you’ll also travel back in time when you see the majestic Edwardian columns of the City Hall, and the imposing neo-gothic towers of Queen’s University for example. The carved wooden façades of the Victorian pubs will certainly entice you in for a pint of beer or chilled cider.
Day 3 - Day 3 - Inverewe
Loch Ewe, located in the Northwest Highlands, is a sea loch surrounded by mountains, looking out onto the North Atlantic. It was an assembly point for maritime trade in the past and military ships used to gather there during the Second World War to organise safe convoys to the Arctic. On its shores, the loch shelters a remarkable botanic garden, Inverewe Garden, whose many hundreds of tropical plants and species prosper thanks to the Gulf Stream. Protected from the violent winds by endemic pine trees, the garden, which was created in 1862 by landowner Osgood Mackenzie and his daughter Mairi Sawyer, will unveil unsuspected colours, shapes and perfumes. It is now managed by the National Trust for Scotland. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to glimpse some of Scotland’s wild animals: red squirrels, red deer, otters, seals or golden eagles.
Day 4 - Day 3 - Shiant Islands, Hebrides
The Shiant Islands derive their name from the Gaelic, Na h-Eileanan Seunta, which means “enchanted isles”. Whether in the mist that frequently envelops the archipelago or beneath a radiant sun, the visitors discovering the Shiant Islands quickly fall under their spell. A veritable paradise for observing seabirds and marine mammals, the archipelago offers magnificent scenery. Puffins, guillemots and razorbills find refuge in the cliffs here, co-existing with fulmars and black-legged kittiwakes. White-tailed eagles soar above inaccessible cliffs. As for the seals, they gather around rocky formations.
Day 5 - Day 4 - Callanish, Isle of Lewis
In Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, on the legendary Isle of Lewis, Callanish dazzles and surprises, fascinates and questions. On the eastern coast of the island, where land and sea rub shoulders and clash in the tumult of wild nature, discover the Callanish Stones megalithic site. No fewer than 51 stones stand in the middle of the peat fields. Deliberately arranged about 5,000 years ago, they are a mysterious testimony to the Stone Age. There are many theories as to the purpose of these stones — a place of worship, a lunar calendar, an astronomic observatory or a healing centre — but they remain an enigma. The singular atmosphere of this site lends itself to all sorts of interpretations, to all sorts of dreams and musings.
Day 6 - Day 5 - Foula, Shetlands
Foula, lying some twenty nautical miles west of the Shetlands, is the archipelago’s most remote island as well as one of the most remote inhabited British islands: it only has thirty inhabitants, who still observe the Julian calendar, introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC. The island rock measures 12.5 km2 (4.8 square miles) and is characterised by its high cliffs, the largest of which reach 365 m (almost 1,200 feet). Inland, there are farms in the heart of huge expanses of moors and peat bogs where flocks of sheep and herds of ponies live in total freedom. The Vikings were the first explorers to come here and they named it Fugløy or “bird island”. You will be able to explore these green windswept landscapes, to the cliffs of Hiora Wick and Gaada Stack, home to nesting colonies of seabirds, including fulmars, Atlantic puffins and eiders.
Day 7 - Day 6 - Suduroy Island, Faroe Islands
Suduroy Island, literally “South Island”, has one of the smallest populations in the Faroe Islands. It has sheer cliffs along its western face. The island is an important breeding ground for seabirds, including northern fulmars, black-legged kittiwakes, Atlantic puffins, and guillemots. You will be guided through the island, exploring its authentic villages with black, tarred-wood churches typical of the Faroe Islands, as well as its hiking trails lined with peat fields and stone sheepfolds. Sheep are indeed omnipresent throughout the Faroe Islands — in fact, there are more sheep than humans —, and they add to the charm of these wild landscapes.
Day 8 - Day 6 - Sailing along Faroe Islands Coasts
The Faroe Islands, an archipelago formed by volcanic rock, reveal an incredible diversity of reliefs where the sea is ubiquitous: you’ll sail past stone pinnacles and unique coastlines. To the west of the island of Vagar stand Thindolmur and Drangarnir, rocky outcrops that marine erosion have detached from the coast, thus forming independent islets known as stacks. The impressive Traelanipa cliff, also known as Slave Cliff, stands 142 metres (466 feet) high. It overlooks the superb Lake Sorvagsvatn. Located 30 metres (98 feet) above sea level, this is the archipelago’s largest lake. On the island of Streymoy, you’ll be able to spot guillemots, screeching fulmars or penguins, nesting in the welcoming crevices of the Vestmanna cliffs.
Day 9 - Day 7 - Streymoy Island, Faroe Islands
Streymoy Island is the largest and most populated of the Faroe Islands, with 22,500 inhabitants. Lying between Scotland and Iceland, the 18-island Danish archipelago boasts natural wonders that will fascinate lovers of the great outdoors. Here, the hilly green landscapes stand in contrast with the huge basalt cliffs and the invigorating air shifts with the moods of the ocean. To the north, the small village of Saksun, with its traditional grass-covered rooftops, has 14 inhabitants. In the curve of a magnificent natural amphitheatre, it overlooks a fjord with a lagoon: an idyllic setting in a secluded and peaceful environment. To the west, in Vestmanna, myriad birds nest in the crags along the eroded and vertiginous cliff faces.
Day 10 - Day 8 - Eysturoy Island, Faroe Islands
Located to the east of Streymoy, Eysturoy is the second-largest of the Faroe Islands. It boasts several unspoilt anchorages that can only be accessed by a limited number of ships. Examples include Oyndarfjørður and Funningur, two peaceful hamlets where the inhabitants are happy to share their daily lives, which revolve around crafts, cooking, fishing, and a strong connection to nature. These secluded spots are ideal for experiencing the local culture and exploring the beautiful hiking trails in the surrounding area.
Day 11 - Day 9 - Djúpivogur
Djúpivogur is a small town and municipality located on a peninsula in the Austurland in eastern Iceland. The coastline consists of three magnificent fjords, Berufjörður, Hamarsfjörður, and Álftafjörður which create a striking landscape to explore. On land, the town is shadowed by Búlandstindur, a pyramid-shaped basalt mountain peaking at 1069 m, making for an incredible sight. Numerous local legends surround this mountain, which is said to grant wishes during the summer solstice.
Day 12 - Day 10 - Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar
This land seated off the southern coast of Iceland is the largest of the Vestmann islands, and is the only inhabited island in the archipelago. The steep Edfell volcanoes and the green prairies of Herjólfsdalur offer rich contrast of nature. On the Stórhöfði road, look out over grey sand beaches and cliffs carved out by the Arctic ocean. From here, you can also see the bronze landscapes of the mountaintops. You could visit Eldheimar, an ultra-modern and interactive museum which traces the volcanic eruption has experienced Heimaey in 1973.
Day 13 - Day 11 - Reykjavík
Iceland’s capital stretches along the edge of a vast bay in the west of the country. Perlan, the “Pearl of Reykjavík”, a museum located on ’Oskjuhlið hill, offers a panoramic view of the lush, green landscapes. A little further, one can easily spot the signpost showing the way to the evangelical Hallgrímskirkja church, and to the historical centre where one can stroll along the Skólavördustígur and the Laugavegur, two lively streets with charming small shops. For some relaxation just outside of the city, visitors have the opportunity to visit the Reykjanes peninsula and its famous thermal lagoons of the Blue Lagoon.
Day 14 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
08-06-202718-06-2027AUD $13,560Superior Stateroom
08-06-202718-06-2027AUD $14,630Deluxe Stateroom
08-06-202718-06-2027AUD $15,390Prestige Deck 4
08-06-202718-06-2027AUD $15,840Prestige Deck 5
08-06-202718-06-2027AUD $16,460Prestige Deck 6
08-06-202718-06-2027AUD $22,110Deluxe Suite
08-06-202718-06-2027AUD $23,780Prestige Deck 5 Suite
08-06-202718-06-2027AUD $24,540Prestige Deck 6 Suite
08-06-202718-06-2027AUD $34,120Owner's Suite
18-06-202729-06-2027AUD $15,060Deluxe Stateroom
18-06-202729-06-2027AUD $15,850Prestige Deck 4
18-06-202729-06-2027AUD $16,320Prestige Deck 5
18-06-202729-06-2027AUD $16,950Prestige Deck 6
18-06-202729-06-2027AUD $22,740Deluxe Suite
18-06-202729-06-2027AUD $24,470Prestige Deck 5 Suite
18-06-202729-06-2027AUD $25,240Prestige Deck 6 Suite
18-06-202729-06-2027AUD $37,510Owner's Suite
18-06-202729-06-2027AUD $13,980Superior Stateroom
29-06-202709-07-2027AUD $12,710Superior Stateroom
29-06-202709-07-2027AUD $13,710Deluxe Stateroom
29-06-202709-07-2027AUD $14,410Prestige Deck 4
29-06-202709-07-2027AUD $14,830Prestige Deck 5
29-06-202709-07-2027AUD $15,410Prestige Deck 6
29-06-202709-07-2027AUD $20,690Deluxe Suite
29-06-202709-07-2027AUD $22,240Prestige Deck 5 Suite
29-06-202709-07-2027AUD $22,950Prestige Deck 6 Suite
29-06-202709-07-2027AUD $34,120Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • Discover four wild archipelagos of the North Atlantic: the Hebrides, the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands and the Westman Islands, as well as Scottish lochs and Icelandic shores.
    • Breathtaking scenery (the UNESCO-listed Jökulsárlón glacier, the Eldfell volcano, the Calanais Standing Stones, the Vestmanna cliffs, and more) and fascinating wildlife (guillemots, fulmars, puffins, sheep, Shetland ponies, seals) will be yours to discover during hikes or outings in an inflatable dinghy.
    • Planned activities: among these are included excursions led by expert local guides and activities conducted with your naturalist guides (opportunities for dinghy trips, hikes, etc.)

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